The room went silent for several seconds. That is when it began...a slow rusty vibrating rumble from inside Zorroc that escalated into a roar of laughter so loud no one could move for the astonishment it produced to the others in the room.

He should be furious, she could have been killed, but instead he could not stop laughing, the image of a naked, embarra.s.sed Dargon had been too clearly etched in his consciousness.

Cat's days took on a pleasant routine. She spent her early mornings with Zorroc, eating, loving, and bathing followed by intensive training with the women at the X-center teaching self-defense tactics. Both Gattonian males and females showed up from time to time to observe and even partic.i.p.ate in the cla.s.ses. There were three instructors; Dee, Cat and a Gattonian female named China. The entire group was getting to know one another and she'd met a number of both women and Gattonians that she particularly enjoyed. Angel, closeted with Carpov, worked around the clock on a vaccine for the female crewmembers and women.

The afternoons represented free time, and her evenings were spent in the great hall having dinner and socializing. Sandra continued to take every opportunity to sidle up to Zorroc. The male crewmembers had taken to calling her 'Sandra the Syphor'. A nickname started by Sycor.

China observed Sandra's latest foray before focusing on Cat. "Does it not distress you that she constantly dogs your male? If she were after my mate I would cut out her c.l.i.toris and feed it to her."

"China, just the mental picture alone is enough to make me nauseous. Besides, not even Sandra would be stupid enough to get between you and Westel. Where is he tonight?"

"He is on skeleton duty for the next five days. It happens to both of us once a month. Usually we try to time it together but this time it did not work out. Look, Prolinc is headed toward Zorroc, I think he has decided our leader has suffered enough."

"Prolinc looks like a dark thunderous cloud since Dee moved in with the aunts. I think we have a great deal to learn about your culture. Just how demeaning is the role of Chosen One?" Cat asked, relieved to see Sandra saunter from the room.

China studied her for a moment before answering. "Many middle houses agglu-mate to create an alliance with a higher house. These alliances are business arrangements and rarely form a love match. Although the match is required to produce heirs, tender feelings are not normally involved. A Chosen One is the love match for a male or female in this situation to make the alliance palatable. The female is restricted from taking a lover until two offspring have been produced then she too is free to take a Chosen One. These are normally life-binding joinings and except for the producing of heirs with the agglu-mate, monogamous. There is no shame in being a Chosen One and the relationship is less binding than agglu-mating or lifemating, for the Chosen One may lifemate elsewhere if she or he so chooses," China finished knowing that Dee remained much over-rent by Prolinc's coming alliance to another female.

"Do you know Prolinc's intended?" Cat inquired while studying Zorroc in a board game with Prolinc.

China started uneasily. "You do not?"

A bad feeling clogged Cat's throat making it difficult to answer. "No."

China hissed and seemed to deflate. "Well, you did not hear this from me, agreed?"

Cat nodded hoping she could block the knowledge from Zorroc.

"Nadia is Prolinc's intended; Zorroc's only sister."

"Spit!" She glanced again at Zorroc to confirm his attention on the game. "Come on let's walk, I don't think I can sit still to hear this."

"The solarium is down this way, it will give us privacy." The two moved silently down the corridor. "You know that Zorroc's mother died in childbirth and there was a child?" With Cat's affirmative nod China continued. "Nadia's father had little to do with the babe so the responsibility rested with the aunts and house staff along with Zorroc and Prolinc to raise her. She followed them everywhere like a small puppy and they tolerated her well and spoiled her. With the death of his father, Zorroc became legal guardian of Nadia and that is when Prolinc's family began to make their move.

Prolinc had been sent to live with Zorroc when the two were small children and were inseparable growing up. Prolinc's family used this bond to forge an alliance with the House of Ra thereby elevating them to a level that should have been impossible to attain."

"Wait a minute," Cat whispered and shook her head as if trying to fit all the pieces together. "If their houses stood so far apart, how did the two boys get together in the first place?"

"Even as a small child, Prolinc had very strong telepathic and guardian abilities. The two were raised together in order to form an unbreakable bond of friendship and mind-link. Prolinc is charged with guarding Zorroc with his life for the rest of their time in this realm. He was chosen for his talent and his family fastened onto his tail for the upward rise in status," China spat.

"I take it Prolinc's family is not on you're A list of favorites."

"They are users. They used Prolinc as a boy, use him still as a male, and make him feel less than he is in the process. They treat him as an unnatural anomaly and they would bind him to a female he thinks of as a little sister, just for their own selfish gain," she ended with a disgusted hand gesture.

"How do you know all this? Either Gattonia is a very small place or it must have one h.e.l.l of a grapevine. Is all this stuff chronicled somewhere for curious cat people?"

China espied the humor evident in Cat's sparkling eyes and realized the jest for what it was. "Either earth women have very skewed humor centers or this defect resides solely with you," she volleyed back. The two grinned in growing affection and camaraderie.

"Spill, China, how do you know so much about the situation?"

China shrugged. "From my parents mainly; I am cousin to Prolinc. Our families, for better or worse, mainly worse except for Prolinc, are joined and as an adult watching this farce of an alliance is frustrating. She is sixteen years and innocent as a babe while Prolinc is a male grown. Theirs will be an unnatural union."

"Why doesn't someone call it off? Surely the aunts and Zorroc want something better for Nadia, to say nothing of Prolinc."

"Zorroc sees it as a way to help his friend and protect his sister while Prolinc sees it as a way to please his family. He remained ambivalent about the union before the coming of Dee; she has definitely put a monzu in his suit."

"What's a..."

"There you are, my Cat, I thought I had lost you. I trust you have been entertaining my mate well, China," Zorroc asked softly. At the sound of Zorroc's voice, the two jumped in startled synchrony.

China excused herself and beat a hasty exit while Zorroc and Cat followed at a more leisurely pace. He kept a light hold on the back of her neck and played with the soft hair at her nape. She calmed him, she challenged him, she loved him, and she made him laugh. He was beginning to treasure her, Zorroc realized uncomfortably.

Equal parts exhilarated, befuddled, anxious, and frightened, Cat contemplated her changed world. The tapestry of her reality had unwoven. Reality. Perception. Truth. Fact. Ontology. All of these had splintered into a million gleaming shards. She truly felt like Sleeping Beauty awaking after a lifetime of dreaming. She recalled a poem by Edgar Allan Poe that she'd memorized at the ed-center.

'You are not wrong, who deem that my days have been a dream.

Yet, if hope has flown away in a day, in a night, in a vision or in none-Is it therefore the less gone?

All that we see or seem is but a dream within a dream.'

What dwelled in our make-up that allowed us to create our own reality when the truth stared us right in the face? We blithely deny what we don't want to acknowledge, perfectly at ease in our ignorance, in the very small box we have encased ourselves. Her box had been comfortable but confining, she now could admit.

Why hadn't she seen that Marie and Helen were different? Well, actually you'd have to be blind not to see they were different. But from a different planet? She snorted, they were not even related; shouldn't she have intuited that on some level? She'd just accepted everything at face value and what aligned compatibly with her limited frame of reference. Had she ever really believed in the existence of extraterrestrials or unexplained metaphysical phenomenon or Santa Clause? Okay, okay! She was pretty sure about the Santa Clause thing...wasn't she?

And what of Zorroc? He'd stood directly in front of her and yet it had taken several confrontations before she'd begun to accept the reality of his existence.

When had her species lost the ability to detect the miracles swirling and cascading around them? A true reality. And, was she changed as a person after discovering the truth of her background? In many ways, the past weeks had flown by with the surreal reality of a dream-make that cyclone. She'd had scant time to ponder the mysteries of her ancestry or how it affected her as a person. Angel and Dee treated her the same and she, herself, felt no different. To think she belonged to this ancient, exotic civilization eclipsed overwhelming. Yet, she still embodied the sum total of all her experiences plus her core being. Something no one could change or steal.

Instead of feeling overwhelmed, she felt freed. Never again would she accept anything at face value. She'd look beyond or within and try to determine the truth or her truth, and not what outside influences conveniently fed to her. The sleeper had awoken, as Paul Atredies had declared in Dune.

As Bandoff entered COM Central, he recognized the now familiar uneasiness. The feeling had been growing steadily since Dyfainius had approached him at the onset of their mission. As senior member of the High Council, he ranked number two behind Zorroc and wielded unparalleled political leverage. At first, Bandoff had been flattered beyond measure to be singled out by this great and powerful leader. His directive had been easy to comply with and seemingly harmless. Just report in every week to let him know, personally, how their ship fared.

Dyfainius had been relaxed, genial, and complimentary of Bandoff's efforts to date and Bandoff could go far as one of Dyfainius's minions. His parents and Milli, his intended, would be so proud. Why then did he sense something amiss? His suspicions had grown with the attack on their ship but surely if anyone could be trusted with unimportant and non-confidential information, it would be the members of the High Council. Maybe he could broach the subject with Sycor, he seemed comfortable and at home in political waters. Zanan was on COM duty. After the two greeted each other, Bandoff said he needed to COM the home planet.

Zanan started uncomfortably. All COM personnel had been given explicit orders. Under no circ.u.mstances were there to be any outgoing COMs and all who tried were to be reported to Prolinc immediately. "Everything all right at home Bandoff?" he inquired casually.

"Oh, yes. Uh, everything is fine, thank you for asking. I just wanted to send a short message, nothing more."

"Well, I am glad all is well because our outside COM is out; a disturbance of some sort. Should I let you know when it pa.s.ses?" Zanan offered.

"Thank you but it really was of no importance."

Zanan contacted Prolinc.

A summons arrived for Bandoff five minutes later ordering him to report to the planning room at once. His uneasiness grew. Prolinc, Zorroc, Rosik and Sycor waited in telling silence as Bandoff entered and took a seat. Prolinc seemed to study the writing utensil rotating from his fingers for a full two minutes before he asked the first question. "Who were you going to COM Bandoff?"

At that moment, he knew his growing uneasiness had been justified. "Before we departed from Gattonia I was contacted by the High Council and asked to report on the status of our journey and confirm that all progressed smoothly. It seemed a small enough request," he answered.

Zorroc swore under his breath.

"What kinds of information did the High Council request," Prolinc asked.

"At first just general inquiries. Were we on schedule, and the ship malfunction free? After we arrived they asked about Earth, my impressions of the women, and how our plans proceeded in procuring them." He paused to evaluate the change of pattern that had occurred once they departed for Ganz. Why had he not questioned it before? He thought he might be sick.

"And once we had accomplished our purpose and began the journey home?" Sycor asked, not unkindly. He felt sorry for his friend; he knew Bandoff incapable of subterfuge; and attracting attention of any kind, whether positive or negative, made him distinctly uncomfortable. This situation must be tearing him apart. Sycor had often thought Bandoff would be much more comfortable in a low profile clerks position but with his phenomenal abilities and trueness of heart he had been given no alternative but the very high profile position of Guardian to their Leader.

Bandoff sat up and leaned forward. "The requests grew detailed. They wanted to know how many women we had aboard, how they were being stored, and if all crewmembers were accounted for and had returned unharmed. Were there females of particular interest to Zorroc and if so what were their names and backgrounds? In addition, of course, they wanted to know our location, but unlike our journey to Earth, they wanted specific co-ordinates. Is that how the Dargons located us?"

"We think so, yes," Zorroc spoke for the first time.

"I do not understand; could there have been a COM leak in our transmissions? That does not seem possible," Bandoff stated clearly perplexed.

Ignoring Bandoff's queries, Zorroc once again took over. "Were you reporting to anyone in the High Council or did you have a specific contact?"

"There has been but one contact. Dyfainius. Surely you cannot suspect him, he was your father's trusted advisor, the head of the High Council, the father of your future..." Bandoff reframed from saying what all knew. His daughter had been chosen to lifemate with Zorroc until the virus struck. There would be no lifemating between he and Zana now. Was that a reason to turn traitor? If Zorroc had lifemated with Zana and something had happened to him; rule would have fallen to Zana who in turn would have ceded to her father. Zazu, that had to be it. Bandoff winced but did what he considered appropriate under the circ.u.mstances. "I resign my commission effective immediately unless you would like to find a more fitting punishment."

Chapter Fifteen.

"There will be no resignation Bandoff. You have compromised no one; you are the one compromised. However, we can use this to our advantage by feeding Dyfainius false information as to our whereabouts and situation," Zorroc stated.

"How much does he know of our flight plans and progress," Prolinc asked.

"I have not COMd him since our rescue so he knows very little. I have been busy guiding the women in protocol and Gattonian customs...and to be honest, I grew uncomfortable relaying information to Dyfainius and therefore, had put off reporting to him until today. Thank Zazu."

"I believe we have found your viper, Zorroc, but why would he side with the Dargons when there are many other species that would like what Gattonia has to offer and all much safer to deal with. Are there others on the High Council or citizens that would support him?" Rosik inquired.

Zorroc thought for a moment then advised, "The answer to that question will come in time, for now...Bandoff, you will COM Dyfainius and begin our subterfuge. Sycor will a.s.sist with false co-ordinates. Begin to hint that I am interested in another woman and have lost interest in Catarina," Zorroc paused then smiled grimly. "Tell him that a ravishing G.o.ddess by the name of...Sandra...has caught my eye and I am having second thoughts about continuing my alliance with Cat. Does he know that Cat is my mate?"

"My last COM transmitted almost four weeks ago. I did not find out that you were lifemated until we had seen a week on the Miramid. He cannot know unless others have been COMing him as well."

"There have been no COMs since the report of your rescue," Rosik explained. "It is standard procedure for COM blackout until we are well away from possible detection by the enemy and have evaluated our situation. He cannot know unless we have a traitor among our COM personnel and the chances of that are miniscule. I think the plan is a solid one," he finished still clearly calculating any holes in his logic.

"Several directives must be adhered to in order to make this work," Prolinc directed softly. "One: What we have learned does not leave this room, either to our women or any other essential party. We cannot take the chance of a careless word. Two: Bandoff's COMs will be limited to two minutes so our position cannot be pinpointed. Three: We meet tomorrow to begin formulating a strategic plan as to how we proceed after landing at Gattonia. So far, we have no absolute proof of Dyfainius's guilt or how many may be involved. Is this understood and agreed upon?" After affirmative nods, they adjourned.

The conclusion of the strategy meeting the following day left Zorroc feeling beaten, depressed and with an overwhelming sense of impending doom. Not because of Gattonia politically, or Dyfainius and any co-conspirators but because of his mate. Almost certainly, she would see this as an unforgivable betrayal; indeed, a large part of the plan depended on it. Above all things he had to keep her safe, temper tantrums or no. Even now, she might be carrying the future leader of Gattonia.

The plan was simple. Keep Cat safe by feigning disinterest, conceal the mate mark confirming the union, and divine the Gattonians involved in traitorous acts against the empire. The crewmembers would be sworn to secrecy. They would be arriving on Ganz in two days, having sped up to full power on the off chance they were being tracked. He would love his Catarina fiercely for the next two nights in preparation of harder times to come. Maybe that way, she would know in her heart that he bided with her, even if they could not be together for a short while. Zazu, he hoped it would be over soon and all revealed. He told himself that a small separation provided exactly the solution he needed.

He was growing addicted to her delectable body, her quirky mind, and her irradiant, precious soul. He was very much afraid that he had too much of his father in him. He must not let her conquer his heart as his mother had his father's. When his mother had died and her soul floated to nirvana, she had taken his father's, as well, leaving behind an ineffectual sh.e.l.l of a male. Maybe with the separation, Zorroc would learn that she was not so important to him after all.

"I'm telling you Dee, being a Chosen One is not the insult we a.s.sumed. I had a long talk with China and got the slim-skinnies on mating customs and Prolinc's intended. Are you interested or are you just going to hide behind the aunts for the next twenty years," Cat taunted, trying to elicit any kind of response. Dee had been holed up in the aunt's quarters for the last two and a half weeks, only surfacing to teach defense cla.s.ses. She'd never known Dee to run from anything and wondered if she hid from Prolinc or herself and the strong pull she felt toward him.

Dee looked close to exploding before expelling an anguished whoosh, resting her head against the back of the seat and closing her eyes. "I'll listen, just don't leave anything out, and don't expect me to change my mind."

Half an hour later Dee began pacing. "Well, why couldn't he have just explained that? I've been going through h.e.l.l these last weeks!"

"I'd venture, because you didn't give him a chance," Cat replied before pausing to gather her thoughts. "Prolinc is a proud male with semi-battered self-esteem. I don't think he'd beg or try to explain for fear you'd use it against him and possibly still turn him down."

"Why would I want to do a hurtful thing like that? I mean aside from the fact that he hurt me first. G.o.d Cat, I think I might be in love with him. He only told me he'd been promised to another and couldn't mate with me and would I become his Chosen One. What was I to conclude?"

"This is a different world, with their own specific rules and rituals. I think it's going to take time to understand how everything works and we're going to have to learn to ask questions first and lose it later. Not a skill that either of us excel at. I sure could use an 'Angel fix' right about now, have you heard from her?"

"She left a message on my COM yesterday, while I was in cla.s.s, saying she was fine, happy and close to a vaccine for the virus. I've never her heard this relaxed and content; she and Carpov fit perfectly together." Then she groaned before adding, "I'm going to have to talk to Prolinc aren't I, there's no way he'll approach me at this late date. There's an officers dinner tonight isn't there, let me accompany you and Zorroc, do you think he'll mind?"

"Nope, it's as good as done, meet me at our quarters at six and we'll order a couple of dresses to make a grand entrance. It'll work out Dee, I just know it." Cat rose and the two hugged before separating.

With Gattonia less than forty-eight hours away, morale among the crew surged to an all time high. For the first time in over two years it looked as if the female crewmembers would be allowed to step foot on their homeland. The buzz and energy in the air proved contagious, even to the Earth women. Some had acclimated very well but others started having emotional problems, now that the reality of their situation had sunk in. Initially, it had seemed like a grand adventure, however, now that they approached their final destination, probably never to see Earth again, some exhibited symptoms of sh.e.l.l shock.

The Med-team distributed relaxers to those with the most severe symptoms and, so far, no one had totally lost it. They were all being handled with kid gloves. Keeping them busy with comportment and defense cla.s.ses had been a stroke of genius, as it turned out. It provided a non-threatening and, for the most part, non-s.e.xual medium for the Gattonians and women to get to know one another-evolving into a productive lesson for everyone. The women posed no threat to the female crew, because they had been off planet at the time of attack. In fact, many of the females on board, including China, had halted previously encouraged birth control measures and were currently pregnant. They looked forward to having their offspring born in Gattonia. The unattached males, of course, had been overjoyed to have such free access to the women and many planned to continue their alliances once home.

Excitement overflowed as Dee, Cat and Angel arrived at the dining hall. Angel had surprised them by showing up at six-thirty looking her breath-taking self. As Dee and Cat got ready, she filled them in on her last few weeks and imparted the news of her pregnancy. The three were ecstatic. Dee had never looked more beautiful as she approached Prolinc and asked if she could sit next to him. He almost knocked over his chair in his haste to stand and offer her the seat next to his.

Cat hadn't seen Zorroc since early morning and wondered at his absence. He'd sent word late that afternoon that he would meet her at the dinner, as he remained tied up in meetings for the rest of the afternoon. Normally, she saw him at least three to four times a day and missed his presence. Angel was pregnant and Cat wondered if she would be right behind her, she'd missed her period the week before and usually she could set her clock by it. Nausea crept up on her at the strangest times, as well. She'd broach the subject with Angel, later in private, to see if she had an extra pregnancy test.

Her eyes lit on Zorroc as he made his way across the room and her heart leapt at the sight of him. Before making his way to her, he stopped at another table to converse. Sandra was seated in the group and he actually initiated a conversation with her. What was happening? As if he could hear her question, he looked up and met her eyes briefly before returning his attention to Sandra. He smiled charmingly and touched her on the shoulder before turning to join Cat. Her heart sank into her shoe and she had difficulty catching her breath. Zorroc engaged Dee and Prolinc in conversation as if nothing was amiss and seemed pleased to see the two together once again. The mood grew light and carefree. Everyone seemed to be having a wonderful time except Cat. Zorroc politely ignored her and as the dinner wore on a black mood settled on her like a two-ton weight.

By the end of the evening Cat was numb. What had gone wrong, what could she have done to cause his alienation?

She had become impossible to read but her agitation surrounded her like a shroud. He hated himself for what he had to do but if he told her everything, her reactions would not be genuine and that could put her in further danger.

He loved Cat's body desperately, long into the early hours, but the darkness refused to lift, and by the time she awakened, he'd gone. Instead of going to her defense cla.s.s, she spent the day playing and cuddling with Spock and Scotty. She'd grown exceedingly weary of this love thing. She stayed constantly off balance and her mood seemed to mirror Zorroc's attention toward her. It was simply pathetic now that she acknowledged it. She needed some distance to get things in perspective. She always thought that women who based their world around a man represented weak, spineless parasites waiting to be squished. What of her mate-mark, she pondered; well she'd just cover it up and go her own way. These were Gattonian rules, not hers and she'd never given her word not to dissolve their union that she could recall. Especially when he'd engaged himself elsewhere. He could get bent for all she cared-the phrase punctuating her last thought before dissolving in a puddle of tears.

She visited Angel later that afternoon and got the news she now dreaded...she was pregnant. Angel was thrilled. Cat was determined. She'd make love to him and show him how deeply her love for him ran...and if she couldn't make him love her back, she'd simply walk away.

Maybe she'd been just a temporary diversion to ease the boredom of a long voyage. She had to admit she'd been entertaining, at least. She learned her lessons well and he'd succeeded in getting her pregnant. All of his plans for her, obviously stamped accomplished. She wondered if he knew about the baby, and had simply moved on to unplowed territory. Perhaps he'd already confirmed it by reaching out to his little mind. That had to be it; he had teased, charmed, indulged, and loved her until certain of her condition and then turned it off like a spigot. Well he may have achieved his goals but she wasn't giving up on her own just yet.

She washed their room in candlelight, took a long leisurely bath laced with Wisteria oil and finally slipped into the naughty negligee she'd ordered. And then waited for her cat man/pooka to arrive...and waited...and waited...and waited.

He entered their room and froze. Candles illuminated every surface bathing the room in muted golden warmth. He watched the slow rise and fall of his mate's b.r.e.a.s.t.s, her hair framing her head in an auburn wreath. She wore a see through concoction of black, filmy, intricate webbing that looked as if it would tear at the first gentle tug. She had wanted to seduce him. Did she not know he had no need of candlelight or sinfully tempting gowns to attract his attention? His miniature G.o.ddess had issued an invitation he had no intention of ignoring.

She dreamt of him once again, touching her everywhere, loving her intently while she melted right into the mat. She wanted it to go on and on. He purred as he suckled and nuzzled first one breast and then the other while his hands roved every inch of her. With the absence of his touch, she awoke. He stood in front of her, stripping with desperate speed.

"I love you," slipped from her mouth before she could stop it. He stilled and stared then eased down next to her.

"Remember that Catarina, promise that you will not forget in the days to come. I will be busy with the High Council and state responsibilities and you will not see me. In light of that, the last thing I want to do tonight is talk."